Page 5

"Get ready for the ride of your life, ladies, as Mr. Maverick takes the stage," DJ Tide yells into the mic over the music.

Spinning my lasso, I gaze around the stage. Women, ohhh and awe, eyes scaling my wings. A sight they'll forget the second they leave this damn building. A worker sets a chair on the stage, and I throw the rope, catching the chair. I let the thick cords fall from my hands, bending my body to the beat of the music. My locs shake, my hat falling off my head.

I strip off my vest, rolling my body and hitting some quick moves. I let the anticipation build before I strip off another article of clothing. Money flies from the women surrounding the stage. It falls from the ceiling, and I grin when I look, spying money raining from the VIP area. My ass ain't even up there, but they love me. A few quick steps, and I move just like I did in Alpha Kappa Upsilon Pi. Women holler, flashing their breasts, but I keep my eyes on the prize. When a woman on the steps throws a few hundreds my way, I'm over there quick. Taking her hands, I place them around my waist, lifting her off the floor and onto the stage. She hangs upside down, dress flying in all directions, but I bump and grind against her. Her hands ghost against my dick, feeling my outline.

Bending sideways, I grab the back of her neck and flip her. She yelps, and I lay her down on the stage. Her breath comes out in waves. Stripping my shirt off, I lower myself until I'm grinding against her. Her warmth coats my body. Hundreds are shoved into my jeans, but them bitches are about to go next. Grabbing her throat, I direct her attention to me. She needs to know I am the only rush she’ll ever have. She groans, slipping more money into my pocket. When I deem it sufficient, another article of clothing will leave my body. Rising, I wink at her, yanking her off the ground before kissing her cheek. Raising a finger, I motion toward someone to help her ass off stage. I need some space.

The music blends, switching from a fast-beat country song to an R&B one. I remove my chaps slowly, letting my jeans hang low at my waist. I don't have an ounce of body hair, but the V along my lower abdomen places me above most. Dropping onto my knees, I thrust toward the ground. Women stroke my flesh, touching any bit they can. One goes for my nipple, and I swat her hand away. Pressing my lower half against the stage, I hump the ground. They scream as I undo my belt, tossing it sideways. I flip over, dragging my pants off, and leaving behind nothing but my sparkly shorts and red cowboy boots.

My dick throbs in my pants, not entirely hard but not flaccid. I wave my hand at DJ Tide and then glance out toward the crowd.

"Alright, ladies. It looks like Maverick wants one special woman tonight to dance for," he shouts.

I back away, pointing toward the chair.

"I want the hottest and richest ladies in the club to raise their hand right now!" DJ Tide hollers.

Every damn hand on this floor shoots up, causing a chuckle to escape my mouth. I walk off the stage, meandering through the overeager crowd. Each time I pass a table, I dance a little. Some women lick my skin, and others rub their bodies against mine. Every woman in here should be my damn type, yet no one is drawing me. Out of the corner of my eye, Yue, the vixen appears, standing by the edge of the crowd. She holds up the wall, arms folding over her chest. The action pushes her breasts forward. My heart strums inside my chest, and a bead of precum slips from my dick. My nose twitches, trying to inhale her scent, but only overly powerful perfume drifts to my nose.

My legs take me in her direction before I can think better of it. I'm nearly toward her when I snap out of it and snag the hand of a nearby woman. She hollers, squealing like someone who just won a million dollars. We walk toward the stage where the first part of my night begins.

Raising a water bottle to my lips, I suck down the last of it, shaking it when the bottle empties. Heat rolls off my body in waves, and sweat drips from my brow. After a night dancing on stage, even though I'm not human, that shit is exhausting. Being one of four grown men dancing half-naked for hours straight ain't for the weak. Leaning my head forward, I press it against the cool metal of my locker. It's like a shock to my system, and I close my eyes, letting it wash over me. My spine tingles, and the sensation spreads, flowing over my body.

"Alright," calls a delicate voice, carrying the unique scent of winter.

My nostrils flare, dragging in the aroma and spreading it all over my body. It rarely snows in New Orleans, yet the crisp, clean, and slightly woody aroma clings to her flesh. I could pick her fragrance out anywhere. My head twists to one side, and a grin takes over my lips. Dark brown eyes slam into me, filling with annoyance. Yue Blackwood hates my fucking guts, and I have no clue why. Everyone loves me.

"Everyone is gone. Just to be certain, I did a perimeter check. Anyone who was here earlier is more than twenty miles away at this point," she explains.

Ashari walks over to her, throwing an arm over her shoulder. His sweat-covered body caresses her, and I turn completely in her direction, giving her my full attention.

"Thanks, Lil' Moon," he comments, New Orleans accent rolling over his words. He uses the nickname most people here gave her.

Yue stands for moon, and while it's adorable, it doesn't fit her. The cutouts on her dress alone would make anyone see she's more than adorable.

"Always. My job is to protect you guys," she says with a smile.

Folding my arms over my chest, I lift my foot and lightly tap the back against the metal locker. It rings in the room, drawing her attention.

"Well, most of you guys," she whispers with an eye roll.

A burst of laughter leaves my lips. "They appreciate all that you do."

She raises an eyebrow. "What about you?"

I rake my eyes over her, trailing them along her thick ass thighs. Her cheeks hang out slightly from the sides, revealing lacy underwear. My heart skips a beat, and I roll my eyes over her curvy hips. Her breasts poke from the large slit at the top, revealing equally lacy red cups that hold her breasts hostage. Everything about Yue is my type... except her fucking attitude.

"You do what you have to," I finally answer.

She huffs and shakes her head, walking out of the locker room as everyone else disperses. Ashari lifts his chin after he dresses, following Yue out the same way. Adwin leaves soon after, as does everyone else. The quiet of the locker room rolls all over me, soothing my heart as I sit on one of the many luscious chairs. I love being the life of the party some days, but quietness is something I would kill for. My eyelids flicker, closing as I slouch in the chair, minutes away from sleep. The sun is on the way up, and like most gargoyles, I feel the call to fall to sleep. We aren’t morning creatures by nature.

A buzz sounds, and my eyelids flip open. Rushing to my locker, I grab my phone. A grimace takes over my face, twisting my lips when I see who is calling. I can't just send her to voicemail, because one thing about Juliena Lunet is she will pop up. Sighing, I rake my palm over my face, then I accept the call.

"Hi, Ma," I start.

"Ekon Maurice Lunet," she hollers, and I cringe.

"Not the full name."